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Visit our Contact Section to pose your questions.
This section will grow as our users pose questions which are important to them.
Q. How did Business Casual begin?
A. In the late 1980's Levi's noted a trend amongst some young entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley towards wearing wrinkled khakis and jeans to work. Levi's developed an extensive and well-thought-out public relations campaign aimed at getting Corporate America to adopt this trend on Fridays. The thinking was, of course, that if Corporate America could be convinced to drop suits on Fridays, Levi's would sell many more pairs of slacks.
Q. My office went casual three years ago, but no one dresses like your Business Casual Section recommends. Why?
A. Unfortunately, most guys have not been trained to distinguish between Business Casual and Weekend Casual. Corporate America generally provides a set of rules about what one can't wear…but not what one should wear! The rule might have started out four years ago as "no tee shirts with Budweiser logos". Well, someone certainly pushed the envelope and tried to wear a tee shirt with a Miller Beer logo. That didn't fly so the individual tried a tee shirt with no logo and it was accepted. Before long, jeans and tee shirts were accepted.
What has become acceptable is not in your best interests. First, one's self-esteem is eroded by dressing sloppily. Study after study report that one's self image is reduced when one isn't proud of the way they look. Second, recent studies are indicating that productivity and attendance are suffering in offices which have gone "casual".
So, the answer to why is "it is a mistake". Most CEO's with whom we've spoken agree that office decorum has suffered tremendously with the onslaught of casual dressdown.
We recommend you review our guidelines, visit www.mensapparelalliance.com, or read Sherry Maysonave’s excellent book "Casual Power". Or we invite you to visit the nearest Christopher's to discuss your questions directly with one of our trained clothing specialists.
Q. Should I wear cuffs on my suit pants?
A. Cuffs add weight to your pants and help them drape properly. They are recommended for all pleated dress pants. If you prefer plain front slax, plain bottoms are recommended.
Q. I have an interview coming up. What type and color shirt should I wear?
A. Good question...easy answer...There is but one color shirt you should wear for an interveiw and that is WHITE.White is more authoritative and provides a better contrast to the dark suit you are wearing to your job opportunity. Wear a dark tie with a small pattern. Rely on your sales specialist to help if you are new to selecting ties.
Q. My office just went back to a formal dress code and is in need of a tutorial on how to dress appropriately. Where can I get help?
A. Vince Rua of Christopher's offers corporate seminars entitled "Dressing With Professional Style," tailored to each business needs. Phone 518-690-STYLE and ask for Vince Rua. We'll assist you in finding the Style Professional nearest you.
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